Carrying bag and trivet for cookware

ABSTRACT

According to one example, a carrying bag for storing and transporting a container with a lid positioned on the container, includes a bottom, at least four pliable sidewalls coupled to a perimeter of the bottom and that extend upward to an upper opening of the carrying bag, and a releasable closure configured to apply pressure to the lid so as to hold the lid in place on top of the container. Each of the four pliable sidewalls has a diagonal crease to collapse portions of the respective sidewall on opposing sides of the diagonal crease into each other as the four pliable sidewalls fold inward to form a trivet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/118,321 filed Nov. 25, 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to cookware and/or food storage containers, and more specifically to a carrying bag and trivet for cookware.

BACKGROUND

Many people may find it desirable to serve food directly from a cookware container (e.g., serve food from the cookware in which it was cooked), and to also store food in a container (e.g., a storage container). When transporting food (e.g., to bring on outings, picnics, gatherings), many people transport food (e.g., cooked food) in the same container in which it was stored and/or cooked. Also, when transporting food home from a restaurant (e.g., take-out, leftovers), the food is typically included in a container. Traditional containers and/or methods for transporting food, however, may be deficient.

SUMMARY

According to a first example, a system includes a container, a lid, and a carrying bag. The container includes a bottom and sidewalls that extend upward from the bottom to terminate at a rim to provide an interior volume for one or more food items. The lid is configured to cover an opening of the container when positioned on the container. The carrying bag is for storing and transporting the container with the lid positioned on the container. The carrying bag includes a generally rectangular bottom, at least four pliable sidewalls coupled to a perimeter of the bottom and that extend upward to an upper opening of the carrying bag, two or more handles positioned on opposing sidewalls of the carrying bag in a location proximal to the upper opening, and a releasable closure configured to apply pressure to the lid so as to hold the lid in place on top of the container.

Another example is any such system, where each of the four pliable sidewalls has a diagonal crease to collapse portions of the respective sidewall on opposing sides of the diagonal crease into each other as the four pliable sidewalls fold inward to form a trivet.

Another example is any such system, where the releasable closure includes two of the sidewalls of the carrying bag, and further includes one or more fasteners positioned on the two sidewalls of the carrying bag in a location in-between the bottom and the upper opening. Another example is any such system, where the releasable closure includes two or more straps attached to an inside portion of the bottom of the carrying bag and/or an inside portion of two of the sidewalls of the carrying bag, and further includes one or more fasteners positioned on the two or more straps. The fasteners includes one or more buttons, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, bands, and/or buckles.

According to a second example, a carrying bag for storing and transporting a container with a lid positioned on the container, includes a generally rectangular bottom, at least four pliable sidewalls coupled to a perimeter of the bottom and that extend upward to an upper opening of the carrying bag, two or more handles positioned on opposing sidewalls of the carrying bag in a location proximal to the upper opening, and a releasable closure configured to apply pressure to the lid so as to hold the lid in place on top of the container. Each of the four pliable sidewalls has a diagonal crease to collapse portions of the respective sidewall on opposing sides of the diagonal crease into each other as the four pliable sidewalls fold inward to form a trivet.

Another example is any such carrying bag or system, where the releasable closure is configured to cause one or more portions of the generally rectangular bottom to extend upward beyond a bottom of the container. Another example is any such carrying bag or system, where the generally rectangular bottom includes thermally insulating material disposed between opposing layers of fabric that form the generally rectangular bottom, or wherein the generally rectangular bottom includes a pocket for receiving a thermally insulating pad.

According to a third example, a carrying bag for storing and transporting a container with a lid positioned on the container, includes a bottom, at least four pliable sidewalls coupled to a perimeter of the bottom and that extend upward to an upper opening of the carrying bag, and a releasable closure configured to apply pressure to the lid so as to hold the lid in place on top of the container. Each of the four pliable sidewalls has a diagonal crease to collapse portions of the respective sidewall on opposing sides of the diagonal crease into each other as the four pliable sidewalls fold inward to form a trivet.

Another example is any such carrying bags or system, where the bottom has a polygonal or curvilinear perimeter. Another example is any such carrying bags or system, where the releasable closure has at least one elastic member that is configured to be extended from a first sidewall proximal the upper opening of the carrying bag to couple to an opposing sidewall to secure the container by extending over the lid of container. Another example is any such carrying bags or system, where the at least one elastic member is an elastic loop and the loop is configured to be coupled around one or more buttons affixed to the opposing sidewall of the container.

According to a fourth example, a bag for storing and transporting a cookware vessel is shaped with a bottom for supporting the underside of the vessel, and upright sides that are capable of collapsing to conform with the shape of the bottom. The collapsed bag may provide a trivet for the cookware vessel. A pair of opposing handles are positioned proximal to the top of the bag for carrying the bag without supporting the external surface of the bottom. Removable and/or adjustable fasteners are provided between the handles and the bottom on at least two opposing sides of the bag. The fasteners help maintain the lid of the cookware vessel in place when it is being transported.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and one or more examples of the features and advantages of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a carrying bag.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of example portions of the carrying bag of FIG. 1, before assembly.

FIG. 3A is a perspective schematic view of the carrying bag of FIG. 1 being used as a trivet for a container positioned on the carrying bag.

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the carrying back of FIG. 3A being used as trivet, without the container positioned on the carrying bag.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view schematically illustrating one example of a carrying bag being expanded out of the trivet configuration in order to receive a container for storage.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view schematically illustrating another example of a carrying bag being expanded out of the trivet configuration in order to receive a container for storage.

FIG. 4B is a top plan view of container inserted into the carrying bag of FIG. 4A after the expansion is complete.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the carrying bag of FIG. 4B with the handles of the carrying bag raised over the cookware container.

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the carrying bag of FIG. 4C with the handles gathered together for pick-up by a user.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevation view of one example of the container securely stowed within the carrying bag, corresponding to section line A-A in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view of another example of the container securely stowed within the carrying bag, corresponding generally to section line A-A in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a further example of the container securely stowed within the carrying bag, corresponding generally to section line A-A in FIG. 4B.

FIGS. 8A-8C are side elevation views of adjacent panels that form another example of the carrying bag.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a further example of the container securely stowed within the carrying bag, corresponding generally to section line A-A in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the carrying bag of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the present disclosure are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1-10 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

As is discussed above, many people may find it desirable to serve food directly from a cookware container (e.g., serve food from the cookware in which it was cooked), and to also store food in a container (e.g., a storage container). When transporting food (e.g., to bring on outings, picnics, gatherings), many people transport food (e.g., cooked food) in the same container in which it was stored and/or cooked. Also, when transporting food home from a restaurant (e.g., take-out, leftovers), the food is typically included in a container. Traditional containers and/or methods for transporting food, however, may be deficient. For example, if the cookware container is still hot or warm, it may presents a burn hazard if the user touches the container or if the food spills out of the container.

In contrast, the carrying bag system 1000 of FIGS. 1-10 may address one or more deficiencies. For example, the carrying bag system 1000 includes a carrying bag 100 that may prevent (or reduce the risk of) the user touching a container 200 (e.g., a hot container) that holds food. As another example, the carrying bag 100 may allow the container 200 to be transported safely with the lid positioned securely in place, thereby preventing (or reducing the risk of) spilled food. As a further example, the carrying bag may be converted into a trivet for use with the container 200 so that food can be served directly from the container 200, even when it is hot (or cold). When used a trivet, the carrying bag 100 may prevent (or reduce the risk of) damage to a surface underneath the carrying bag 100. As such, a user can heat (or re-heat) the container 200 (e.g., in a microwave or oven), and then the container 200 may be placed directly on the carrying bag 100 (in a trivet configuration), so as to allow food to be served directly from the container 200.

FIGS. 1-10 illustrate examples of a carrying bag system 1000. As is illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, the carrying bag system 1000 includes a carrying bag 100 and a container 200. The carrying bag 100 refers to a structure that may be used to hold the container 200. For example, the carrying bag 100 may be a structure that has sufficient interior volume to hold the container 200 and transport it with the lid 210 in place. Further details of examples of the carrying bag 100 are discussed below.

The container 200 refers to any container, cookware, vessel, or other structure that may receive and hold one or more food items (e.g., solid foods, liquids, fluids, etc.). In the illustrated example, the container 200 includes a bottom 210 and one or more sidewalls 212 that are connected to a perimeter of the bottom 210 and that extend upward to a rim 214. The bottom 210, the sidewall(s) 214, and the rim 214 define an interior volume for holding the food item(s). The container 200 further includes a lid 220 that is configured to cover (e.g., entirely cover) an opening in the container 200 (e.g., the opening in-between an inner perimeter of the rim 213). The lid 220 may be removed from the container 200 to insert food item(s) into the container 200 or remove food item(s) from the container 200. The lid 220 may be positioned on the container 200 in order to cover food contained in the container 200, so as to prevent it from spilling out of the container 200. The container 200 may have any shape and/or size. Also, the sidewall(s) 212 may extend straight upward (i.e., at a 90 degree angle to the bottom 210), may slope upward (e.g., at a 70 degree angle to the bottom 210), and/or may curve upward. The container 200 (and/or is components) may be made of any material that can be used to hold a food item, such as plastic, a polymer, metal, glass, ceramic, any other material that can be used to hold a food item, or any combination of the preceding. The container 200 may be heated (e.g., in the microwave, in the oven, or on a stovetop) or cooled (e.g., in the refrigerator). The container 200 may include side handles, or may not include side handles. Although example containers 200 have been described herein and/or illustrated in the figures, in other examples, the container 200 may be any other container, cookware, vessel, or other structure that may receive and hold one or more food items, and that includes a lid.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate one example of the carrying bag 200. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the carrying bag 100 includes a bottom 110 and sidewalls 120 that define an interior volume. The carrying bag 100 has a sufficient interior volume to hold the container 200 and transport it with the lid 210 in place.

The bottom 110 is adapted to support the container 200. In some examples, the bottom 110 is preferably generally rectangular shape, but it may alternatively have any other shape, as is discussed below. In some examples, the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100 is preferably fabric so that it can be drawn upward to surround smaller diameter containers 200, and the upper portion of the sidewalls 120 can be fastened at a lower position to snuggly engage the lid 210 with the rim of the container 200. However, the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100 is also optionally made of materials that are more rigid than fabric, such as leather, cork, quilted fabric filled with batting, leather, cork, any other material that can be used to hold the container 200, or any combination of the preceding.

The carrying bag 200 may optionally include two or more handles 125 and 126. The handles 125 and 126 may allow a user to grip the carrying bag 100, so as to carry the carrying bag 100 (with or without the container 200), without holding the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100. In some examples, the handles 125 and 126 allow the remainder of the carrying bag 100 to hang downwards from the handles 125 and 126 when the carrying bag 100 is carried. This may position the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100 and the container 200 distal from the user who is carrying the carrying bag 100, which may allow the user to avoid injury or discomfort if the container 200 and its contents are still warm.

The handles 125 and 126 may be apertures formed in the opposing sidewalls 120A and 120C below the linear sides 123, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. In other examples, the handles 125 and 126 may be attached to the carrying bag 100 (e.g., to extend upward to and over an upper opening 103 of the carrying bag 100), as illustrated in FIGS. 3C, 4B and 4C. In a preferred example, the handles 125 and 126 are made of multiple layers of fabric, so as to provide extra strength for carrying the container 200. The extra strength may be provided by stitching, stapling, gluing, ultrasonic welding (e.g., for nonwoven fabric bags), and/or otherwise adhering the multiple fabric layers together. In some examples, the carrying bag 100 may not include any handles.

The carrying bag 100 may be made of any material that can be used to hold the container 200. For example, the carrying bag 100 may be made of fabric (e.g., woven and/or non-woven fabric), leather, cork, quilted fabric filled with batting, leather, cork, any other material that can be used to hold the container 200, or any combination of the preceding. In some examples, the carrying bag 100 may include other materials and/or layers, such as quilting and layers of metallized plastic film to provide radiation barrier layers for additional thermal insulation.

In some examples, the carrying bag 100 may include one or more pockets that may be used to hold additional items (e.g., serving accessories). The pocket(s) may have any shape and/or size. The pocket(s) may be accessible from the interior of the carrying bag 100, or the exterior. For example, a pocket may be in the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100, and may be accessible from an interior side of the bottom 110 or the exterior side of the bottom 110. The opening of the pocket(s) may be sealable by any type of fastener, such as snaps, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, buckles, zippers, any other fastener, or any combination of the preceding. In some examples, one or more insulating pads may be inserted into the pocket(s), so as to assist in keeping the container 200 (and its contents) warm or cold. In other examples, the carrying bag 100 may alternatively (or additionally) include one or more thermally insulating layers of fabric (e.g., on the bottom 110, sidewalls 112, or both), so as to assist in keeping the container 200 (and its contents) warm or cold. For example, the bottom 110 may include thermally insulating material disposed between opposing layers of fabric that make up the bottom 110.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the carrying bag 200 is formed from at least four pliable rectangular segments 120A-120D that each have a linear side 124 coupled to a perimeter 111 of the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100. Each of the segments 120A-120D has opposing linear sides 123 (which collectively form the rim of the carrying bag 100) and 124 (which are each coupled to the perimeter 111 of the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100). Each of the segments 120A-120D also has opposing linear sides 121 and 122, which are orthogonal to the linear sides 123 and 124.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the carrying bag 100 is fabricated by connecting the adjacent linear sides 121 and 122 of adjacent segments 120A-120D (as is illustrated by the curving arrows). For example, as is seen in the top left corner of FIG. 2, the linear side 122 of segment 120A is connected to the linear side 121 of segment 120B. The adjacent linear sides 121 and 122 are connected (as shown by the curving arrows) to form a seam. This results in a continuous sidewall 120 of the assembled carrying bag 100, as is illustrated in FIG. 1. The seam may be formed by any combination of sewing, stitching, adhesive attachment (e.g., glues, adhesives, ultrasonic welding), using fusible and detachable fasteners (e.g., snaps, rivets), or any other manner.

In a preferrable example, the carrying bag 100 is capable of being folded into a trivet configuration (and unfolded from the trivet configuration), as is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-4D. In the trivet configuration, one or more items (such as the container 200) may be placed directly on the carrying bag 100 (in the trivet configuration), and the carrying bag 100 may then prevent (or reduce the risk of) damage to a surface underneath the carrying bag 100. As an example of this, a user can heat (or re-heat) the container 200 (e.g., in a microwave or oven), and then the container 200 may be placed directly on the carrying bag 100 (in a trivet configuration), so as to allow food to be served directly from the container 200.

In the trivet configuration, the carrying bag 100 may be substantially flat, and may be shaped generally as a rectangular. However, the trivet configuration may cause the carrying bag 100 to have any other shape that allows the carrying bag 100 to operate as trivet for one or more items (e.g., the container 200).

To fold the carrying bag 100 into a trivet configuration, the seams (formed by connecting linear sides 122 and 121) may be folded inward toward the center of the bottom 110, and each of the sidewalls 120 may be folded over at a respective crease 129. This may cause opposing portions (on opposite sides of the crease 129) of a respective sidewall 120 to collapse into each other as the sidewalls 120 fold inward to form a trivet, in some examples. As is illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, this crease 129 is formed to extend diagonally from a first point (e.g., the corner that joins linear sides 123 and 122) to an opposing second point (e.g., the corner that joins opposing sides 121 and 124). In some examples, the crease 129 is a linear region of each of the sidewalls 120 that is deliberately more pliable than the surrounding fabric material. This may allow the triangular regions 120 a of each sidewall 120 between the crease 129 and the opposing side segments 122 and 121, to overlay each other. This may effectively increase the thickness of the trivet configuration to three times the thickness of the fabric that forms the carrying bag 100. The crease 129 can be formed by providing multiple layers of fabric and other stiff or semi-pliable materials within the separate triangular regions 120 a, in which the crease 129 has fewer or a single layer of fabric to make it more pliable than the surrounding separate triangular regions 120 a. In some examples, not all of the sidewalls 120 may have the crease 129, as the entirety of one or more sidewalls 120 may fold to engage the bottom 110 without bending at a crease, with one or more of the other sidewalls 120 (e.g., an adjacent side or a non-adjacent side) folding downward and overlapping at a crease 129.

Although the trivet configuration is described above with regard to the carrying bag 100 having a rectangular shaped bottom 110, the bottom 110 need not be rectangular shaped for the trivet configuration. For example, the bottom 110 can have other regular polygon shapes, such as a pentagon hexagon, heptagon, octagon, or the like. The sidewalls (which are connected to the regular polygon shaped bottom, such as sidewalls 120) may have one or more creases 129 extending from the perimeter 111 to the portion of the side that forms the opening 103 of the carrying bag 100. The creases 129 allow portions of the sides to fold and overlap in a flat matter on top of the regular polygon shape of the bottom 110, in some examples.

Additionally, the trivet configuration is also not limited to a carrying bag 100 having a bottom 110 with a regular polygon shape. As other examples, the bottom 110 may have an irregular polygon shape, a circular or oval shape, as well as any other curvilinear shape. In such examples, the carrying bag 100 still has sidewalls 120 that are configured to be folded inward (e.g., in a flat configuration as they overlay the bottom 110) to form the trivet configuration. Additionally, for curvilinear shaped bottoms 110 (e.g., a circular bottom 110), the sidewalls 120 may be similarly curved along the entire or a portion of the contact with the perimeter 111 of the bottom 110. The sidewalls 110 may also have a sufficient number (and spacing) of creases 129 to allow for folding flat over the bottom 110 or a portion thereof.

In some examples, the carrying bag 100 includes a releasable closure 130, examples of which are is illustrated in FIGS. 5-10. The releasable closure 130 refers to a structure or system that provides a variable size cavity that may be used to secure the lid 210 of the container 210.

The releasable closure 130 may secure the lid 2010 of the container 200 by applying pressure to the lid 210, thereby preventing the lid 210 from detaching from the container 200, in some examples.

In some examples, the releasable closure 130 may be one or more of the sidewalls 120, themselves. Example of this are illustrated in FIGS. 4C-6 and 9. In such examples, the sidewall(s) 120 that do not include the handles 125 and 126 may be moved inward toward each other, allowing them to be fastened together (e.g., using buttons) so as provide a variable size cavity that may be used to secure the lid 210 of the container 210 (e.g., by applying pressure to the lid 210). In such examples, the sidewalls 120 that include the handles 125 and 126 may remain substantially upright, thereby allowing them to be grasped by a user, as is seen in FIGS. 5, 6, and 9.

In other examples, the releasable closure 130 may be an internal bag positioned within and attached to the inside of the carrying bag 100 (e.g., a bag within a bag), or a restraining system (e.g., strap system) positioned within and attached to the inside of the carrying bag 100. Examples of this are illustrated in FIG. 7. The releasable closure 130 may be attached to an inside portion of the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100, an inside portion of the sidewalls 120 of the carrying bag 100, any other portion of the inside of the carrying bag 110, or any combination of the preceding. In some examples, the releasable closure 130 may be formed as a part of (e.g., integral with) an inside portion of the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100, an inside portion of the sidewalls 120 of the carrying bag 100, any other portion of the inside of the carrying bag 110, or any combination of the preceding.

FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a releasable closure 130 where the sidewalls 120 form the releasable closure 130. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, a buttonhole 131 and a button 132 are positioned on opposing sidewalls 120 (between the sidewalls 120 that include the handles 125 and 126), allowing the opposing sidewalls 120 to be fastened together. This provides a single size cavity that may be used to secure the lid 210 of the container 210.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of a releasable closure 130 where the sidewalls 120 form the releasable closure 130. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, two or more (e.g., 3) buttonholes 131 and two or more (e.g., 3) buttons 132 are positioned on opposing sidewalls 120 (between the sidewalls 120 that include the handles 125 and 126), allowing the opposing sidewalls 120 to be fastened together. The buttonholes 131 and buttons 132 vary in distance from the top of the opening 103 of the carrying bag 100. This provides a variable size cavity that may be used to secure the lid 210 of the container 200. For example, the user can select which buttonhole 131 and which button 132 to use, so as to use the carrying bag 100 with different sized containers 200.

In the illustrated example, the lower buttonhole 131 and button 132 (e.g., the buttonhole 131 and button 132 that are illustrated below the pair that is fastened in FIG. 6) may be used when the container 200 has a smaller diameter (e.g., a smaller diameter than the container 200 shown in this illustration), as well as when the container diameter is less than the width or diameter of the bottom 110. In the illustrated example, the material of the sidewalls 120 (e.g., woven or non-woven fabric) is capable of extending under the tension created by the releasable closure 130. This may allow the carrying bag 100 to accommodate variations in the container lid size, as well as any cushioning material (e.g., additional fabric, foam and the like) that the user may insert around the container 200 for further protection. Although FIG. 6 illustrates the releasable closure 130 as including three buttonholes 131 and three buttons 130, the releasable closure 130 may include fewer buttons 132 than buttonholes 131. The selection of the buttonholes 131 into which the button 132 is inserted may vary the capacity of the carrying bag 100 for the purpose of securing the container lid 210 to the container 200.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a releasable closure 130 where the releasable closure 130 includes a restraining system (e.g., strap system) positioned within and attached to the inside of the carrying bag 100. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the releasable closure 130 includes opposing straps 161 and 162 that can provide a variable size restraint system that may be used to secure the lid 210 of the container 210. These opposing straps 161 and 162 may be continuously adjustable, and may be used to urge the lid 210 downward to securely engage the lid 210 with the container 200. This may prevent (or reduce the chance of) the lid 210 being dislodged from the container 200 during transport.

The straps 161 and 162 may include fasteners (e.g., snaps, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, buckles). In the illustrated example, the straps 161 and 162 include hook and loop fasteners. The hook and loop fasteners refer to opposing pliable members in which one member is covered with an array of miniature structures capable of spontaneously engaging on contact with opposing members (e.g., miniature loops disposed in an array on the other pliable member). One type of such a hook and loop fastener includes VELCRO. When connected together, the opposing straps 161 and 162 form a connection 163 that may urge the lid 210 downward to securely engage the lid 210 with the container 200. The position of the connection 163 may be adjustable so as to accommodate variations in the dimensions of the container 200 and/or the lid 210 of the container 200. In some examples, a portion of the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100 may be drawn upward (e.g., by the straps 160 and 161) along the sidewall 210 of the container 200.

The straps 160 and 161 may be attached to an inside portion of the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100, an inside portion of the sidewalls 120 of the carrying bag 100, any other portion of the inside of the carrying bag 110, or any combination of the preceding. In some examples, the straps 160 and 161 may be formed as a part of (e.g., integral with) an inside portion of the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100, an inside portion of the sidewalls 120 of the carrying bag 100, any other portion of the inside of the carrying bag 110, or any combination of the preceding.

FIGS. 8A-10 illustrates another example of a releasable closure 130 where the sidewalls 120 form the releasable closure 130. In the illustrated example, at least one button 132 is positioned on sidewall 120C adjacent and below the center of linear side 123. One or more additional buttons 132′ may be positioned below button 132 more proximal to perimeter 111 of the bottom 110 of the carrying bag 100. On the opposing sidewall 120C (generally also just below the center of linear side 123), an elastic band 133 is coupled to the linear side 123, so as to loop around the button 132 and optionally 132′. The coupling of the elastic band 133 to the linear side 123 may be a looped segment of a fabric patch 134 connected by stitching adjacent the center of the linear side 123. The fabric patch 134 extends around a portion of the perimeter of the elastic band 133. This allows the remaining perimeter or unrestrained portion of the elastic band 133 to be stretched over the upper opening 103 and the button 132. When the elastic band 133 is stretched towards and connected to the button 132, the opposing sidewalls 120A and 120C of the carrying bag 100 may be stretched over the lid 210 to secure the lid 210 to the rim of the container 200. The elastic band 133 may provide an adjustable level of restraining force that may accommodate different sizes and combinations of lids 210 and containers 200. Furthermore, the additional button(s) 132′ may be used to secure the elastic band 133 for smaller containers 200 and/or shorter lids 210.

As is discussed above, the stretching or tensioning of the elastic band 133 draws the fabric of the sidewalls 120 upward over the lid 210. If the sidewalls 120 do not extend over the lid 210 (due to the size of the lid 210 and/or the container 200), then the elastic band 133 may extend over the lid 210 to urge it downward, so as to securely engage the lid 210 with the container 200. The force that may be exerted to retain the lid 210 in place may be adjustable (via selection of button 132 or 132′) to fit any size container 200 and/or any size lid 210 of the container 200. In some examples, the fabric patch 134 may include multiple elastic bands 133 (with different lengths), or the carrying bag 100 may include multiple spaced apart fabric patches 134 (with each including one or more elastic bands 133).

Although the releasable closures 130 have been described herein as including particular types of fasteners, any of the releasable closures 130 may include any other type of fastener, such as buttons, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, bands, one or more buckles (e.g., which may be configured to receive and be coupled to a belt that may extend upward from an inside bottom perimeter 111 or sidewall 120 of the carrying bag 100), any other fastener, or any combination of the preceding.

In some examples, when the carrying bag 100 is converted to a trivet configuration (as is discussed above), the external portions (e.g., buttons) of the releasable closure 130 may be hidden. For example, the sidewalls 120 having the external portions of the releasable closure 130 may be folded inward first, so that the other sidewalls 120 may be positioned on top (in the trivet configuration).

Modifications, additions, and/or substitutions may be made to the carrying bag system 1000 of any one or more of FIGS. 1-10, the components of the carrying bag system 1000 of any one or more of FIGS. 1-10, and/or the functions of the carrying bag system 1000 of any one or more of FIGS. 1-10 without departing from the scope of the specification. As one example, two or more of the releasable closure 130 may be combined together. Furthermore, one or more of the components illustrated in FIGS. 1-10 may be added to or removed from any of the carrying bag systems 1000 illustrated in FIGS. 1-10.

This specification has been written with reference to various non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples. However, it will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art that various substitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the disclosed examples (or portions thereof) may be made within the scope of this specification. Thus, it is contemplated and understood that this specification supports additional examples not expressly set forth in this specification. Such examples may be obtained, for example, by combining, modifying, or reorganizing any of the disclosed components, elements, features, aspects, characteristics, limitations, and the like, of the various non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples described in this specification. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a) a container having a bottom and sidewalls that extend upward from the bottom to terminate at a rim to provide an interior volume for one or more food items; b) a lid configured to cover an opening of the container when positioned on the container; and c) a carrying bag for storing and transporting the container with the lid positioned on the container, the carrying bag comprising: i) a generally rectangular bottom; ii) at least four pliable sidewalls coupled to a perimeter of the bottom and that extend upward to an upper opening of the carrying bag; iii) two or more handles positioned on opposing sidewalls of the carrying bag in a location proximal to the upper opening; and iv) a releasable closure configured to apply pressure to the lid so as to hold the lid in place on top of the container.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the four pliable sidewalls has a diagonal crease to collapse portions of the respective sidewall on opposing sides of the diagonal crease into each other as the four pliable sidewalls fold inward to form a trivet.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the releasable closure comprises two of the sidewalls of the carrying bag, and further comprises one or more fasteners positioned on the two sidewalls of the carrying bag in a location in-between the bottom and the upper opening.
 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the one or more fasteners comprise one or more buttons, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, bands, and/or buckles.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the releasable closure comprises two or more straps attached to an inside portion of the bottom of the carrying bag and/or an inside portion of two of the sidewalls of the carrying bag, and further comprises one or more fasteners positioned on the two or more straps.
 6. The system according to claim 3, wherein the one or more fasteners comprise one or more buttons, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, bands, and/or buckles.
 7. A carrying bag for storing and transporting a container with a lid positioned on the container, the carrying bag comprising: a) a generally rectangular bottom; b) at least four pliable sidewalls coupled to a perimeter of the bottom and that extend upward to an upper opening of the carrying bag; c) two or more handles positioned on opposing sidewalls of the carrying bag in a location proximal to the upper opening; and d) a releasable closure configured to apply pressure to the lid so as to hold the lid in place on top of the container; and e) wherein each of the four pliable sidewalls has a diagonal crease to collapse portions of the respective sidewall on opposing sides of the diagonal crease into each other as the four pliable sidewalls fold inward to form a trivet.
 8. The carrying bag according to claim 7, wherein the releasable closure comprises two of the sidewalls of the carrying bag, and further comprises one or more fasteners positioned on the two sidewalls of the carrying bag in a location in-between the bottom and the upper opening.
 9. The carrying bag according to claim 8, wherein the one or more fasteners comprise one or more buttons, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, bands, and/or buckles.
 10. The carrying bag according to claim 7, wherein the releasable closure comprises two or more straps attached to an inside portion of the bottom of the carrying bag and/or an inside portion of two of the sidewalls of the carrying bag, and further comprises one or more fasteners positioned on the two or more straps.
 11. The carrying bag according to claim 10, wherein the one or more fasteners comprise one or more buttons, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, bands, and/or buckles.
 12. The carrying bag according to claim 7, wherein the releasable closure is configured to cause one or more portions of the generally rectangular bottom to extend upward beyond a bottom of the container.
 13. The carrying bag according to claim 7, wherein the generally rectangular bottom includes thermally insulating material disposed between opposing layers of fabric that form the generally rectangular bottom, or wherein the generally rectangular bottom includes a pocket for receiving a thermally insulating pad.
 14. A carrying bag for storing and transporting a container with a lid positioned on the container, the carrying bag comprising: a) a bottom; b) at least four pliable sidewalls coupled to a perimeter of the bottom and that extend upward to an upper opening of the carrying bag; and c) a releasable closure configured to apply pressure to the lid so as to hold the lid in place on top of the container; and d) wherein each of the four pliable sidewalls has a diagonal crease to collapse portions of the respective sidewall on opposing sides of the diagonal crease into each other as the four pliable sidewalls fold inward to form a trivet.
 15. The carrying bag according to claim 14, wherein the releasable closure comprises two of the sidewalls of the carrying bag, and further comprises one or more fasteners positioned on the two sidewalls of the carrying bag in a location in-between the bottom and the upper opening.
 16. The carrying bag according to claim 15, wherein the one or more fasteners comprise one or more buttons, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, bands, and/or buckles.
 17. The carrying bag according to claim 14, wherein the releasable closure comprises two or more straps attached to an inside portion of the bottom of the carrying bag and/or an inside portion of two of the sidewalls of the carrying bag, and further comprises one or more fasteners positioned on the two or more straps.
 18. The carrying bag according to claim 14, wherein the bottom has a polygonal or curvilinear perimeter.
 19. The carrying bag according to claim 14, wherein the releasable closure has at least one elastic member that is configured to be extended from a first sidewall proximal the upper opening of the carrying bag to couple to an opposing sidewall to secure the container by extending over the lid of container.
 20. The carrying bag according to claim 19, wherein the at least one elastic member is an elastic loop and the loop is configured to be coupled around one or more buttons affixed to the opposing sidewall of the container. 